Find out how popular the last name Begaye is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Begaye.

Begaye, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Begaye surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Begaye in America

Begaye is the 18090th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Begaye surname appeared 1,540 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Begaye.

We can also compare 2010 data for Begaye to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Begaye

The surname BEGAYE is of Navajo origin, originating from the Navajo people of the Southwestern United States. The name is believed to have emerged in the early 18th century, derived from the Navajo word "bé'égaah," meaning "hunter" or "one who hunts."

The name was particularly prevalent among the Navajo clans and families who resided in the regions of present-day Arizona and New Mexico. The earliest recorded instances of the BEGAYE surname can be traced back to the mid-18th century, when Spanish colonists and missionaries began documenting the names of Navajo individuals they encountered.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the BEGAYE surname was Manuelito Begaye (c. 1818-1893), a prominent Navajo leader and war chief who played a crucial role in the Navajo Wars against the United States government. He is remembered for his bravery and resistance against the forced relocation of the Navajo people to the Bosque Redondo reservation in the 1860s.

Another notable figure bearing the BEGAYE name was Hosteen Begaye (c. 1850-1938), a renowned Navajo medicine man and ceremonial leader. He was highly respected for his deep knowledge of traditional Navajo healing practices and his role in preserving Navajo cultural traditions.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the BEGAYE surname became more widely documented as the Navajo people began interacting more with the US government and educational institutions. One such individual was Chee Dodge Begaye (1882-1952), a Navajo educator and linguist who played a pivotal role in developing the first written system for the Navajo language.

More recently, Peterson Zah (born 1937), a former President of the Navajo Nation (1991-1995), bears the BEGAYE surname. He is recognized for his efforts in promoting economic development and self-determination for the Navajo people during his tenure.

Another notable figure is Shondee Begaye (born 1967), a Navajo artist and educator known for his intricate and colorful weavings that blend traditional Navajo techniques with contemporary designs.

Throughout history, the BEGAYE surname has remained deeply rooted in Navajo culture and tradition, representing the heritage and resilience of the Navajo people. While the name has evolved and spread beyond its original geographic origins, it continues to hold significance as a symbol of the Navajo people's enduring presence in the American Southwest.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Begaye

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Begaye.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Begaye was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Begaye has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Begaye was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Begaye, please contact us.

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